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Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

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116 The Eyes<br />

<strong>and</strong> as a manifestation <strong>of</strong> MULTIPLE<br />

Symptoms may include<br />

SCLEROSIS.<br />

• PAIN with eye movement<br />

• diminished VISUAL ACUITY (blurred or dim<br />

vision)<br />

• eye is tender to touch or pressure<br />

• blind spots (scotomas)<br />

• dulled colors<br />

The diagnostic path includes visual acuity <strong>and</strong><br />

VISUAL FIELD testing, OPHTHALMOSCOPY to examine<br />

the optic NERVE disk (which <strong>of</strong>ten becomes more<br />

pale), <strong>and</strong> MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) or<br />

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN <strong>of</strong> the brain when<br />

the doctor suspects multiple sclerosis or another<br />

neurologic cause. Most retrobulbar optic neuritis<br />

eventually goes away without treatment. The doctor<br />

may prescribe CORTICOSTEROID MEDICATIONS<br />

when the inflammation persists. Because retrobulbar<br />

optic neuritis is so <strong>of</strong>ten associated with multiple<br />

sclerosis, the doctor may recommend more<br />

extensive NEUROLOGIC EXAMINATION to determine<br />

whether this condition is the underlying cause.<br />

Recurrent or severe retrobulbar optic neuritis may<br />

result in permanent VISION IMPAIRMENT.<br />

See also OPTIC NERVE ATROPHY; OPTIC NERVE HYPOPLA-<br />

SIA; PAPILLITIS; SCOTOMA; TOXIC OPTIC NEUROPATHY.

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